Cerundolo Survives Scare In Buenos Aires

In danger of a second early exit in as many weeks in his home nation, Francisco Cerundolo used a late surge to escape an opening-round challenge from qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Tuesday at the Argentina Open. The fifth seed won the final four games in a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 victory, denying his opponent’s attempt to serve out the match at 5-4 in the final set.

After retiring with a leg injury last week in the Cordoba quarter-finals, Cerundolo started well at the ATP 250, cruising through the first set and opening up a 3-0 lead in the second without a break point faced. But Germany’s Hanfmann flipped the match on its head, winning nine of 11 games to claim the second set and build a 3-1 lead in the third.

With the backing of the home crowd, Cerundolo re-established himself in the match and began to step up his aggression in the late stages. He missed out on three break chances as Hanfmann held for 5-3, but that would be the last game the German won on the day as Cerundolo closed out the match with consecutive breaks.

The 24-year-old will next face Jaume Munar, who beat Argentine wild card Guido Pella 6-4, 7-5 on Monday night.

While Cerundolo avoided Hanfmann’s upset bid, eighth seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas could not do the same against fellow Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, who knocked him out with a 7-5, 6-4 victory.

Two Argentines also advanced in Tuesday’s early action. Camilo Ugo Carabelli defeated Daniel Elahi Galan 7-6(7), 6-3 and Tomas Etcheverry outlasted Hugo Dellien 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.